Ribbon Pakoda / Ola Pakoda

This is another addictive savory snack. Ribbon Pakoda is a snack that I enjoyed in my young age and still love eating it. When my daughter was schooling this was a regular snack that was in her tiffin. This is also called Ola Pakoda in Tamil. During festival eating to many sweets one gets tried,  you want something spicy and this snack balances that sweetness. Try this addictive and super easy snack.

Ingredients

2 Cups Chickpea flour / Besan
1 Cup Rice flour
A pinch Asafoetida
1 Teaspoon Red chilly powder - adjust to taste
1 Tablespoon White butter
1 Teaspoon Salt or to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method

Sieve the rice flour and besan thrice. 

In a bowl mix all the above ingredients together, add water little at a time and knead it into the  soft dough. 

Make the dough a little soft so that the it can be squeezed easily from the murukku maker.  This is plate that is used to make the ribbon / ola pakoda.

Heat oil in a kadai.  

Grease the inside of murukku press with oil.  Make a ball and put in the murukku press and press it directly in the oil. When  they turn light golden brown, flip the side and cook till light golden.  Remove pakoda and place it on a tissue paper to drain the excess oil. 

Let it cool completely and then store it in an airtight container.  Repeat the same for the remaining dough too. You can keep this for a month and enjoy this as a tea time or tiffin snack.

Labels : Savory Snacks, Festival Sweets, Chickpea flour, South Indian, Tamil Nadu

Besan Ladoo

Besan Ladoo is an all time favorite sweet ladoo made from chickpea flour, for festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi , Dussehra, etc.  This is my hubby's favorite and its made regularly in my house. Whenever he feels like having something sweet, he will pick a besan ladoo and enjoy. Today am, going to share a simple besan ladoo recipe, I prepare these in different ways - even with dry fruit powder. This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients that are easily available.

I, roast the flour partly in the microwave and then in the end fry the flour on the stove. Roasting the flour in the microwave gets done quickly, using less energy, ghee and time.

So let's go to the recipe.

Makes 14

Ingredients

2 Cups Heaped Besan / Chickpea Flour
1/2 Cup Desi Ghee
2/3 Cup Level Powdered Sugar
2 Teaspoons Milk
1/4 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
Raisins for garnishing

Method 
In a microwave proof plate spread a cup of flour at a time and microwave  on high for a minute, then stir it well and again microwave for a minute do this process three to four times, but after every minute stir it well, then keep it again microwave.

After completing this process 4 times, add a tablespoon of desi ghee and mix well, remove any lumps and again microwave on high - 3 -4 times - for a minute each , after every minute remove and stir well. Do the same process for the next batch of flour and keep aside.

In a heavy bottom pan, on low flame, heat the remaining desi ghee, add the roasted flour and keep frying till it changes color and releases a fragrant aroma of fried besan. Then add the milk and continue stirring till it is lump free, smooth and you will find a luster on the besan. Switch off the flame and continue stirring till the pan cools.

Remove it in a  bowl and keep it to cool completely.  When cold say after an hour or two, add the cardamon powder and sugar, mix well by taking the flour into hands and rubbing it so the the sugar is well incorporated.  

Make medium size ladoo and garnish each ladoo with a raisin. Store in an airtight container. This remains good for a month.  Enjoy....  Happy Diwali..

My Notes 

Adding milk makes the ladoos light and it does not stick to the palate while eating.

Labels : Besan, Festival Sweets, Sugar, Diwali Faral, Maharashtra

Bhadang (Puffed Rice Chivda)

This is a very common and tasty snack that is always prepared in every Maharashtrian house.It is very simple and requires little oil. Its a very good snack. When garnished with finely chopped onion,tomatoes, coriander leaves and lemon juice, sev its converted into  bhel. You can prepare this snack and store it in airtight box for a month.  We love this snack and is prepared often in my  house. When I prepared this Bhadang my beta could not stop eating, as he was watching TV he kept on eating it, he loved it so much. 

Ingredients
5 Cups Murmura / Puffed Rice
1/2 Cup Peanuts
1/4 Cup Dalia
1/4 Cup Dry Coconut pieces

1/2 Cup Mixed dry fruits ( Almonds, Cashewnuts, Raisins)

3 Sprigs Curry Leaves
1 Teaspoon Mustard seed

1/4 Teaspoon Asafoetida

1 Teaspoon  Citric acid crystals

 25 Grams Chivda Masala

1 Teaspoon Chilly powder

Salt to Taste

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1/2 Cup Oil 

Method
Roast Puffed rice in a big pan till they crisp or microwave  it for a minute.

Heat oil in a big pan on medium flame  add the mustard seeds, when they crackle add the asafoetida then add the peanuts and fry till done , then add the coconut pieces and fry till brown. When they are fried, add the dry fruits, dalia , curry leaves and fry till the curry leaves are crisp. 

Add the chivda masala, chilly powder and fry well.  Add Puffed rice and mix well. Take off the heat. Add Salt, sugar and citric acid crystals mix well.  When it completely cools, store in an air tight container.  

This is my entry for the BM #48, theme Kid's Delight - Holiday Special Recipes. 
Labels: Festival Sweets, Kids delight, Blogging Marathon, Chivda  

Bhajke Pohe Chivda

Chivda is a always pepared in every Maharashtrian household and is had as an evening healthy snack.  This crispy beaten rice flavored with nuts, raisins etc., makes a delicious and healthy snack. 

I generally make this chivda many times in the year, but for festivals its a must do snack and it tastes more delicious than any other time. Each household has a different version and method of preparing this chivda. 

There are many types of it but this is a healthy and non fried version of it. The cooking process requires a bit of planning, so keep all the ingredients ready, this helps and is efficient too. 

Ingredients
250 Grams Bhajke Pohe
½ Cup Oil
2 Teaspoons Mustard seeds
15 Curry Leaves
1 Teaspoon Asafoetida
2 Teaspoons Turmeric powder
½ Cup Roasted Peanuts
½ Cup Dalia (Chutney Chana)
½ Cup Sliced Dried Coconut
¼ Cup Almonds
¼ Cup Cashewnuts
¼ Cup Raisins - Golden or Black
2 Teaspoons Sugar - powdered
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder
½ Teaspoon Cumin powder
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly flakes
1 Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Amchur powder

Method
Heat the oil in a large Kadai, add the mustard seeds when they splutter add the asafoetida, curry leaves and hinge fry till the curry leaves are crisp. Then fry one by one the coconut pieces, roasted peanuts, dal, almonds, cashewnuts and rasins in it. When well fried and brown add the chilly flakes, turmeric, coriander, cumin and amchur powder. Add the bhajke pohe and fry well till hot and crisp and crunchy add salt and stir well. Switch off the flame. When cooled add the sugar. Store in an airtight container. 

Labels: Poha, Festival Sweets, Healthy, Vegan, Kids delight, Chivda 

My Notes 

This Chivda can be stored for as long as 3-4 weeks if stored properly in dry airtight container.

Bhajni Chaklis

April 23, 2014

Ingredients For the Bhajani
4 cups rice
2 cups Chana dal
1 cup Urad dal
1/4 cup moong dal
1/2 cup Poha,
3 tablespoons cumin seeds

For the dough
2 cups bhajani flour
1 cup water
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
1 teaspoon ajwain
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 tsp asafoetida
2 tablespoons oil
salt to taste

Method for Bhajani flour 

Roast rice, channa dal, urad and moong dal (each item separately) till the grains turn crisp, lightly roast the poha. Do not use oil for roasting.  Also roast cumin seeds.
Grind together all the ingredients into a very fine powder.
This is 'bhajani' flour for chakli. This will last upto a year if stored in an airtight container.

Method to make chaklis

Boil the water add oil, sesame seeds, ajwain, salt, chili powder, and the bhajani flour and mix well.Knead the flour to make a soft pliable dough. Grease the chakli press with little oil and fill it with the dough. Now slowly press it and form chakli into a plate. Heat oil - drop a small pinch of dough to check if the oil temperature is right...when the dough immediately rises to the top with a sizzle then the temperature of oil is right to fry the chaklis. Drop in the chaklis 3 or 4 at a time depending on the size of the kadai slowly on low flame in and fry till golden brown. Drain on a tissue paper. Cool and store in an airtight container. These chaklis turned out crisp and these are packed for my friend who is going on a holiday abroad.


Note 

Do not add more ajwain and sesame seeds or else the chaklis will break while making. Also do not add more oil or else they will melt in oil while frying. Fry chakalis in small batches of 3 to 4 at a time to achieve crispness, else they become soggy. Replace the oil (when you see the oil becoming frothy) or they break at the time of frying. The oil should be sufficiently hot (but not at the smoking point), else chaklis soak up lots of oil and may not become crisp. Also once oil is heated enough, turn the heat to lowest setting. High heat causes them to cook on the outside, while staying uncooked from the inside, or sometimes they even burn and taste bitter.

Labels: Festival Sweets, Healthy snacks, Kids delight


Look here for Butter Chaklis

Butter Chaklis

April 22, 2014

This crunchy snack is just as good at tea time as it is for a special occassion or for children as school tiffin. Chaklis are made with a special chakli mold.

Ingredients
1 cup Full Rice Flour
1/4 cup Split Roasted Gram (phutane / chutney channa)
1 tablespoon Butter ( I used amul butter)
1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds – slightly crushed with your hands
1/2 teaspoon Cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon Sesame seeds
1 teaspoon Chilly powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Water -Boiled and hot

Method
In a mixer grind the gram to a fine powder. Now sieve rice flour and gram flour.
In a mixing bowl take the sieved flours , butter, cumin seeds, cumin powder, sesame seeds, chilly powder, salt and mix well. Boil water when it starts to boil switch off.  Add water little by little and mix it with a spatula. Once combined well use your hands to form a very soft dough.
Grease the chakli press with little oil and fill it with the dough. Now slowly press it and form chakli into a plate. Heat oil - drop a small pinch of dough to check if the oil temperature is right...when the dough immediately rises to the top with a sizzle then the temperature of oil is right to fry the chaklis. Drop in the chaklis 3 or 4 at a time depending on the size of the kadai slowly on medium flame in and fry till golden brown. Drain on a tissue paper. Cool and store in an airtight container. These chaklis have a lovely buttery taste and turned out crisp. These are packed for my friend who is going on a holiday abroad.

Note: Do not add more cumin and sesame seeds or else the chaklis will break while making. Also do not add more butter or else they will melt in oil while frying. Fry chakalis in small batches of 3 to 4 at a time to achieve crispness, else they become soggy. Replace the oil (when you see the oil becoming frothy) or they break at the time of frying. The oil should be sufficiently hot (but not at the smoking point), else chaklis soak up lots of oil and may not become crisp. Also once oil is heated enough, turn the heat to lowest setting. High heat causes them to cook on the outside, while staying uncooked from the inside, or sometimes they even burn and taste bitter. If for some reason, chaklis loose their crispness after some time, reheat them in microwave for a minute or two and they become crisp once again.

Labels: Festival Sweets, Healthy snacks, Kids delight

Look here for Bhajini Chaklis

Puran Poli

March 18, 2014

Puran Poli is a Maharashtrian speciallity prepared for Holi Festival. This is also called Holige or Obbattu in Kannada. This is difficult to make and requires a lot of patience but once you make it 2 -3 times and master it, this is a pleasure to make. While you are preparing the stuffing called puran the aroma of it fills the house and I sure the neighbours also know that Puran Poli is being prepared in someones house. The aroma and flavour is so strong and delciious, one just waits till the Puran Poli is ready. H loves this so much that all the effort put into making this gives you joy seeing him eat and relish the Puran Poli.

Ingredients
For the dough
1/2 cup Maida (All purpose flour)
1/2 cup Wheat flour
1 Tablespoon oil
1/2 Teaspoon salt
Water to knead dough

For the stuffing
1 Cup Chana dal (Bengal Gram)
1 Teaspoon Cardamom powder
A pinch of nutmeg powder
A pinch of salt
1 Teaspoon Ginger powder
1/2  Cup Jaggery - grated
1/2  Cup Sugar

For the rolling
1 cup Rice flour

Ghee for smearing

Method

For the stuffing

Wash the chana dal thoroughly, soak it for 15 minutes and cook in pressure cooker with sufficient water soft and paste-like. Strain and drain all the water and grind it in a mixer till it forms a smooth paste. In a kadai place the paste jaggery, sugar, salt, cardamon, nutmeg and ginger powder and place it on a medium flame stirring continuously till it forms a ball (see pics ). Remove it on a plate and let is cool. The Puran it ready. Make equal 10 equal balls and keep aside.

For the dough
Place the both the flours in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add a little water and knead this into a smooth, medium-firm dough, adding more water as required and knead it . 

In a another bowl add oil salt and 3 tablespoon water and mix it well till the salt melts then add the dough and knead well till it is smooth and form a string like dough (see pics).
Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and keep aside. The size of dough should smaller than the filling (see pics above).

Rolling the PoliClean and flour a rolling surface. Take one ball of dough and flatten it with your fingers. Roll it out into a small circle. Now place a ball of stuffing into the center of this circle. Fold the edges of the circle over the paste and pinch together to seal. Remove the excess dough. Flatten this ball gently with your fingers and thus make rest of the balls with the stuffing and keep covered.
To roll this ball take a newspaper and cut it into a big circle, and place it on the rolling board, take rice flour for rolling and roll it like you make chapattis, roll lightly using very light pressure or else all the stuffing will spill out. Keep on rotating the newspaper as you are rolling do lift the poli with your hand. When rolled lightly dust with soft cloth and remove the excess flour from the top.

Heat a tava till hot, on a medium flame. Place the rolled out poli with help of the newspaper on the tava again with the cloth remove the excess flour and let it cook till brown dots appear on the bottom. Flip with a spatula now, cook till small brown dots begin to appear on the lower surface. The Puran Poli will begin to give of a lovely cooked aroma now. Remove from the fire, place it on a butter paper and smear it on either side with ghee. Serve with a dollop of ghee.

Labels: Breads, Festival Sweets, Healthy, Indian, Sweets & Desserts, Vegan, Puran Poli, Maharastrian Cuisine, Maharashtra, Chana Dal, Stuffed Flatbreads